At 19, Carol Perry left Boston University to write ads at the Pickering Fuel Company in her hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, where she was born on Halloween Eve. Though Perry never returned to college, she continued copywriting, her byline is on dozens of magazine articles, several “middle grade” books (for kids in middle school) and travel books. Her current popular Witch City mystery series, set in Salem, is for Kensington Publishing, one of the major houses for crime fiction. Since escaping the New England winters 30-plus years ago, Perry’s now a bona fide Floridian. We sat down for a long chat, and she shared her lifetime love of writing and a few tips for success in the hard-to-crack publishing field.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I have a great love of the English language. I started writing as a child; one of my first efforts was a hand-lettered neighborhood newspaper when I was about 10, and in seventh grade I wrote a play and wrote for the Salem High School paper. When I got a chance at Pickering Fuel, I became a gainfully employed college dropout. Later I wrote many, many freelance articles for all kinds of magazines, did travel writing and a couple of non-fiction biographies
How did you start writing fiction?
In 1988 they built the world’s tallest sand castle near my home in Treasure Island. I wrote a magazine article about it and made a scrapbook with stats documenting it for the Guinness Book, so I had access to everything close-up. It gave me an idea for a teen novel, Sand Castle Summer. School Book Fair published it, and others followed for the same age group. There was Thirteen and Loving It, My Perfect Winter, and Sister vs Sister ([which dealt with] dealing with daughters from previous marriages [and was] acclaimed by the University of Michigan). I also wrote a couple of bios for that age group (Tiger Woods: Making of a Champion, and Ten Women Political Pioneers).
Why did you start writing mysteries?
I love the genre, and I’ve read them all my life, starting with Nancy Drew, so I’d always wanted to write one. The first Witch City book was in a drawer for a few years titled Nightshade. I’d get it out and work on it, show it to friends and finally decided to publish it as Caught Dead Handed, the first in the Witch City series that’s now up to six in print.
What makes your Witch City books so popular with readers?
Well, I write about real places. Salem is a magical city, so readers can visit the harbor, the restaurants. They can take the Witch Tour, and see the cemetery in Grave Errors, the fifth book. Of course, Lee, my main character, works at WICH-TV, a fictional TV station, but other settings are mostly real. And people like reading about magic and witches and the supernatural. Lee also collects vintage stuff, and readers like that.
How did you go about getting the series published?
I’ve been in the writing business since I was 19, so I know lots of tricks of the trade, but I got quite a few polite rejections from agents I queried. One just after I signed the contract wrote, “I don’t think I could interest a New York editor in this work,” so I had the pleasure of writing him back, saying "I’m sure you’ll share my joy on my recent contract with Kensington.” You must be persistent — don’t give up.
What tips do you have for aspiring mystery writers?
Know your genre. Read mysteries, especially popular ones. Sue Grafton was an inspiration, Martha Grimes is wonderful, and Sofie Kelly’s Mystery Cats are a delight. Also, do research because characters become involved in areas I know nothing about — I studied Russian history for Murder Go Round, and because Lee’s friend River is Wiccan, I’ve learned Tarot, astrology and other occult aspects. You have to know what you’re writing about.
What’s in the future?
I’ll keep this series going as long as it’s popular. It Takes a Coven, book six, just came out, and Bells, Spells and Murder comes out in October. This month they’re featured nationally at Barnes & Noble, and I’m working on one for spring. We’ll see!
So, we’ll see. As psychics say, “More will be revealed!’
